Automatic grain binder



(Model.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 1. T. M. RICE. f

AUTOMATIC GRAIN BINDER.

Patented Nov. 21,A 1882.

"HAK

(Model.) Sheets-Sheet 2.

T. M. RICE.

AUTOMATIG GRAIN BINDER.

No. 267,934. Patented Nov. 21, 1882.

Inventor.-

(Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 3.

T. IVLVRIGE.

AUTOMATIC GRAIN BINDER.

No. 267,934. Patented Nov. 21, 1882,

I MII l (Medel.) 7 sheets-Sheet 4.

T. M. RICE.

AUTOMATIG GRAIN BINDER.

No. 267,934. Patented Nev. 21,'1882.

N. PETERS, Fholo-Lhogmuher. Washingnn, ILC.

(Model.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 5. T. M. RICE.

AUTOMATIC GRAIN BINDER.

PatentedlNov. 21, 1882.

H/MEF N4 PEIERS. Phowumngnpher. washington. D. C.

7 Sheets-Smet` 6.

T. M. RICE.

AUTOMATIC GRAIN BINDER.

NV PETERS Pholbihdgrlphen Washngkm. D. C.

(Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 7.

T. M. RICE.

AUTOMATIC GRAIN BINDER.

Tlv

N. vains `mm.mmgmpw. washingmm n. c.

I VO

UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FASSLER &; KELLY, OF SAME PLAGE.

AUTOMATIC GRAIN-BINDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 267,934, dated November 21, 1882. Application I iled April 21, 1880. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, TALLMADGE M. RICE, of Springfield, Clarke county, State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Grain-Bindersg'and l do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to a machine for automatically separating a gavel from a Howing stream of cut grain, compressingvand binding the same, and discharging the bound bundles from the machine; and it consists in the comhinatious and arrangements of devices `for transmitting motion from the prime motor to the various devices whereby the bundle is separated, bound, and discharged.

That others may fully understand my invention,1,will now particularly describe it, having reference to the accompanying drawings, Whereiu Figure l is a perspective view of my machine. Fig. 2 is a front end elevation, showing the gearing which forms the subject of this patent. Fig. 3 is a plan of my machine. Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the gearing-plate on the end of the machine. Figs. 6 to 13 are details of the devices for the initial driving movements.

' Figs. 14 to 30 are details of the devices for the secondary driving movement.`

A is the supporting-frame of the machine. Grain is delivered to the receptacle B by an endless apron or other suitable device. "Motion is transmitted from' the prime moverte the main binder-shaft O by a chain, belt, or shaft, with gearing of any approved kind. Frein the main sh at'tG motion is communicated to the several operative devices by suitable gearing in train, and at the completion of the binding of each bundle the motion of the machine is arrested and held at rest until the accumulation of delivered grain is sufficient to form another proper-sized bundle, when the detent is automatically tripped and the bind'- ing machinery again set in motion.

At the end of the shaft C there is a bevelpinion, D, which meshes with a similar bevelpinion, E, upon the shaft of which there is alsoa small spur-wheel, F. For convenience and compactuess the spur-wheel F is in the plane of the axis of shaft G, and is mounted upon a stud, a, which is rigidly secured to a mounting-plate, b, upon which also the bearings of shaft O are placed. The pinion F meshes with and drives the main wheel G, from which all the groups of operative devices take their motion. One revolution of the wheel G completes the operation of separating, bind` ing, and discharging one bundle.

The wheel G is provided with peripheral anges c and d, (see Fig. 18,) which anges arc not continuous, and is armed also with projecting trips or cams q t, the uses of which wheel and appurtenances are to impart intermittent rotations to the pinions in mesh with said wheel, as hereinafter more particularly described.

The shaft` G is provided with a clutch-sleeve, e, whereby it is coupled with the pinion D. (See Figs. 2, 8, 11.) A spring f on the rod m (see Figs. 2 and 8) tends to throw said clutch into engagement, and it is retracted and carried out of engagement by a lever, g, which, at each revolution ofthe main wheel G, is caught by a stud, h, on said wheel and pulled down until the clutch is retracted and liberated. To render this catch effective and sure, the outer end of the lever g is provided with a transverse `orice or socket, into which is fitted a bolt, i, Fig. l2, the end of which forms a cup, as shown in Fig. 13, and this cup receives and holds the studh. When the lever ghas been the wheel G, and all the binding devices come to rest immediately. The bolt i may be withdrawn from its engagement with the stud h by a bell-crank lever, j, and the springfimmediately impels the clutch into engagement, and the binder is started again, and so on.

The clutch-withdrawing device is made in two parts, capable of motion through different distances, so that the motion of the withdrawing-lever g may be greater than the motion of the clutch-sleeve without causing any disaster to the parts. This is clearly shown in Figs. 2, 8, 1l, where c representsthe clutch-sleeve. 7c is the clutch-fork, and Zthe abutment against which the lever g presses. The fork lt and the moved far enough to disengage the clutch e abutment l both are mounted upon the rod m, the latter being fast and the fork loose thereon. The fork is held against the abutment by the spring n. When the fork has pushed the sleeve e back as far as it can go the springs fand n will still yield and permit the fork and abut' ment to separate.

v All of the gearing which aetuates the several devices and groups of devices have their studs or bearings upon a single frame-plate, H, (see Figs. 2 and 5,) which is bolted to the front side or end frame of the binder, and

. serves to hold the parts of said frame in place,

as well as to rigidly maintain in proper relative position all of said bearings, and thereby keep in proper connection the several related and coacting parts.

1 have now described those operative parts which are common to all the several groups of devices which take their motion at one time and another from the main wheel G, confining the subject of this patent to the combination and arrangement of the driving-gearing and devices whereby the devices which separate, bind, and discharge the bundle are severally actuated.

Starting with the initial movement of the main wheel G when the clutch e has gone into engagement, the first wheel in mesh'with said wheel G, which is moved thereby, is the pinion J. This pinion is made long enough to span the spur-teeth of the wheel G, and also the teeth of the pinion K. This is necessary because a part of the teeth of the pinion J in range with the wheelG are cut away to form a segment and permit the pinion J to come to rest at each revolution, while with the pinion K, which is driven by the pinion J, the mesh must be continuous. At its back the pinion J is provided with a crescent-plate, p, which at the proper time rests upon the flange d of the wheel Gand prevents the pinion J from revolving. The pinion J is also provided with a double and longl tooth, o, which meshes with a corresponding recess in the pinion K. When in position of rest the'pinions J and K are in mesh with the long tooth o in its recess, the plate p is on the iiange d, with its front horn iirst comingin contact with the trip gon the wheel- G, whereby the pinion J is set inV motion. (See Figs. 1, 18, 19.) The point or horn of the platep passes down through one of the intervals in the i'lan'ge d to permit said revolution. As the initial movement of the pinion J is 'given by the point or horn of the crescent, it is slower than is'due to the motion of wheel G, and the long tooth o equalizes this by imparting, tothe pinion K a relatively more rapid motion, and serves as aguide in putting the gears together in proper time. The pinion K is mounted on the end of a shaft, L', the rear or inner end of which is-supported in a bearing on the bridge-piece -M, one end whereof is bolted to the inner cross-piece, N, of the binder-frame, andthe other end is supported upon the shaft 0, the ends whereof are in boxes on the end frames of the machine. The inner or rear end of the shaft L bears a crank, q', whereby the separator or gaveler P is actuated. The separator P is mounted at about its middle of length Yupon the crank q.

Its front or inner end is pointed and curved downward, so as to enter the stream of grain and pass through it easily. Its rear or outer end is provided with a laterally-projecting stud, r, which slides in a long slot, SX, in the bridge M, and the front end or point of said separator therefore travels in an elliptical circuit, descending into the stream of grain, and, after thus separating it, moving the separatedV part or gavel outward to the binder, and nally rising to its initial position. (Shown in Figs. 2 and 4.) During the time when the separator is in action all the remainder of the apparatus is at rest; but when the separator has come to rest, then'the wheel Q (see Figs. 2, 4, 17, 21) goesintoaction. Thepointofthiswheelscrescent-plate u at that moment encounters the trip or starter t on the wheel G, and is directed downward through the interval in the iiange c, so that the wheel G is permitted to revolve. The wheel Q is provided with a radial arm, v, and a stud, w, at the end of the same, and said stud rests in a curved slot, y, in an arm, R. The arm R is mounted on the shaft S, which also carries the cord-carrierand compressor T. The bearings of the shaft S are at opposite extremities of the frame A. However, it is only required thatthe shafts S and O shall 'extend entirely across the machine to avoid placing boxes or bearings for them in positions where they would be exposed and might also obstruct the movement ot' the bound bundle in dis-- charging. When the wheel Q revolves the stud w passes along the slot y and rotates the shaft S until the point of the arm T has been carried up along the separator nearly to its highest limit, and at that moment the arm R commences to produce a movement of the shaft O,which carries the counter compressor-fingers a', Fig. 4, which,are elastic to enable them to yield as required to conform to bundles of various sizes. The arm R, on the opposite side IOO IIO

of the shaft S from the slot y, is provided with a slot, b', transverse to the direction of the slot y, and in engagement with said slot there is the rack U, which meshes with and drives the pinion c on the shaft O. The rack-pin d', engaging with the slot b', is not operated until the movement of thearm R brings said pin to the upper end, e', of said slot, which takes place, as before stated, when the shaft S has completed the greater part of its rotation. The further rotation of the wheel Q carries the arm T to its highest point and places the cord in position with reference to the knotter and cutter and end-holding gripper, and at the same time has carried the lrack U'downward, and has thereby rotated the shaft Oto bring down the fin gers a and compress the bundle in circular'form between said ngers' and the arm T. When the armRis in position last mentioned, correspondin gwiththe completed compression ol thebundle and placing of the band in the knotter, the curvatureV of the slot y corresponds with the lpath of the stud to, so that the continued rota` tion ofthe wheel Q leaves the band-carrier and compressors for atime at rest. During that period of rest the knotter unites the parts of the band and severs the cord, so as to leave it ready for a new bundle, and retains the end leading to the spool or ball. When the knotter has completed its work the stud w will hvae traversedthe curved part of the slot y and will re-engage the same at a point near its inner end, and the arm Rwilltherefore be quickly retracted, causing the rack U to retract quick- 1y, and not only release the bundle, but cause its discharge by the discharger Von the shaft 0. This latter'effect is produced by the peculiar structure of the slot 11' and rack U. At the upper end of the slot b there is a short lateral oiset or angle e', Figs. 2, 14, and at the extremity of the arin R there is 'a crosshead, f'. There is upon the rack U an inwardly-projectin g arm and eounterpoise or overbalancirng weight, g', and also an outwardlyprojecting arm, h'. When the almRhas nearly reached the upper extension of its motion, the

` arm g' encounters the arm R and pushes the posite to the toothed segment.

pin d'into the offset e', if it does not pass thereinto without compulsion. Thereturn uiotion of the arm R catches the pin d' in said offset c', and the rack is pushed upwardthereby-until the arm h' lshall strike the cross-head f' and push the pin d' out ofsaid offset, and

thus permit the rack to fall to its initial position, with the pin-cl' at the lower end of the slot b. The counterpoise g' also by its weight aids the descent ot' the rack, when liberated from the offset e', and causes said rack to swing so that the'pin d',w ill enter and remain in the offset e'. It is this upward movement 'of the rack U which causes the quick retreat of the tingers a and the equally rapid advance of the discharger V. i

The rack U is coniincd in place in gear with the pinion c' by a pin t", which stands out behind it from the plate H, andits downward movement is arrested when it encounters the lhead of the arm it. At the time of arrest the lingers c' are in proper position to receive the new bundle.

As before stated, the action of the knotter and cutter is intermediate to the action ofthe cord-carrier and discharger last described.`

The segment W, which operates the knotting, holding, and cutting mechanism, is provided with a flange, m', which projects in the plane of its movement beyond the axis andop- The flan ge m' is constructed with two circular notches, np',

in its edge, and the axis of said segment is placed with reference to the wheels G Q so that said notches are alternately in the paths of the pinsk l' on said wheels G and Q, respectively. Therefore, as the wheelsG and Q revolve, the notch p' is rst engaged by the `pin l' upon the wheelQ, and rotated until in its path said pin` passes out ot' said notch.

`The notch n' is .thereby brought into the path ot' the pin 7c' upon thewheel G, whereby the segment W is returned to its first position.

The knotting, cutting, and holding devices,

land also the gaveler or separator and the bindling-arm, are clearly set forth in another specitication ltiled by me, of even date herewith, `and therefore are not claimed herein.

the segment W, and when at rest, before c'oinmencing its reciprocation,said stud is directly in line with and covers the axis of the knotterbarrel Y, and depresses the lever H', which rests upon the rod cl2, and pushes the central tying-hook outward and beyond the end of the short looping-cylinder. By the side of the lever H' the lever I' is placed, with its end resting upon the exposed end ot' the tubular rod to2. Above the levers Hand l' the lever J'isplaced, with olie end upon the end of the rod F',whereby the holder and cutter is actuated, and the other endinthepathot'IhestudG'. Eachofthelevers l' and J has its retracting-spring. The lirst movement otthe stud G' takes itott'theleverH', and releases the central tying-hook, which immediately retires within the looping cylinder. The stud G encounters the lever l' immediately as it releases the lever H', and. the outer gripping-hook is projected beyond the end ot' the barrel Y as the latter is beginning its rotation, and is immediately carried thereby in e11- gagement with the binding-cord, which extends between the holder and the neck ofthe looping-cylinder. The stud G remains in engagement with the lever I' only long enough to allow the rotation ot the barrel to carry the outer hook over the cord, and said hook is released and the cord is gripped. At the next succeeding movement the lever J' is encoun- .tered by the stud G', which' passes under the. vfree end ot' the name, and thereby causes the holder and'cutter to be pushed forward, admitting the new cord to theI notch, and upon its retraction continiug the cord and severing it between the holder and the knetter, so that the band-cordA remains held by said holder only. When the stud Gr' passes ot't' the shoulder s2 of the lever H' and permits the inner tying-hook to retreat, the retreat of the latter is arrested by the engagement of the free end of said lever H with the spring-latch K', and is` so arrested until in its reciprocation the stud G' encounters said latch and again liberates said lever H and permits the said'central tying-hook to fully retreat. On the return movement of the stud G' it engages the end i3 of the lever I', and, pushing the saine out-` ward, causes a quick advance of the outer gripper-hook` and the releaseof the ends of the band-cord. `Whennear the end of its move- IOO ment it again encounters the levers I and H and causes the inner and outer grippers or hooks to be again pushed fully out and liberate the hand, the knot being finished. The backward movement of the segment W and stud G causes the barrel Y to retrograde and the short looping cylinder to advance again and all the parts to assume the positions they had at the beginning, ready for the next operation.

The arm T is mounted loosely upon the shaft n2; but its range of motion is limited by shoulders on the head p2, which is rigidly secured to said shaft. The arm T is coupled with the bell-crank tripj by a rod, q2, so that the latch i is tripped and the binding mechanism is set in motion by the raising of the aprons S', and

this occurs when sufficient grain has accumu.

lated below them to form a bundle. The lost motion of the arm T between the shoulders of" the head 192 permits the aprons S to rise a considerable distance before beginning to affect said arm or said trip.

Having described myinvention, whatlclaim as new is 1. The clutch e, combined with the fork 7c, movable upon the rod m., and abutment l, fixed upon said rod, and provided with springs f and n, whereby the fork is moved backward by force applied to the abutment, but the latter may move farther than the former, for the purpose set forth.

2. The main spur-wheel G, provided with the discontinuous iianges c, d, and r, trips q and t, and pin k', combined with three separate groups of devices, all taking their movements from said wheel G in successive order-viz., the devices for separating the gavel, the devices for compressing, placing the bandaronnd, and discharging the bundle, and the devices for making and fastening the knot-as set forth.

3. The spur-wheel G, provided with the discontinuous flange d and stop q, combined with the pinion J, provided with the long tooth o and the crescent-plate p, and the pinion K, in mesh with said pinion J, to drive the shaft L and gaveler with an intermittent motion, as set forth.

4. The wheel G, provided with iiange d and stop q, the pinion J, provided with long tooth 0 and crescent-plate p, and the pinion K and the cranked shaft L q', com bned with the gaveler P, mounted at its middle upon the crank end q' 'of said shaft, and controlled at its rear end by the slot SX, so as to have an elliptical orbit at its front end, as set forth.

5. The bell-crank lever g, provided with the detent-latch i and trip-lever j, combined with the wheel Gr, provided with the stud h, and the clutch c, provided with abutment Z, whereby the action of the wheel G withdraws the clutch from engagement, and said engagement is established again by tripping said detent.

6. A main wheel provided with a discontin- I nous iiange, d, and trip q, combined with a double pinion, J, one part whereof isa segment, and which is provided with a crescent-plate,p7 and long tooth o, and the pinion K in mesh therewith, whereby a continuous rotation of said main wheel will impart an intermittent but uniform. motion to the pinion K and crank-A shaft L.

7. The main wheel G, provided with a continuous row of spur-teeth and upon its sides with the laterally-projecting discontinuous iianges c d r, trips q t, and pin 7c', combined Vwith pinion J, pinion Q, provided with pin Z',

and segment W, whereby said wheel succesf curved slot, y, in one end, and in its oppositev end a curved slot, b', transverse to the radial direction of said slot y, combined with the crank-wheel Q, and the rack-bar U.

l0. The vibrating arm R, provided with slot b and offset e therein, and the cross-head f', as described, combined with the reciprocating rack-bar U, provided with the projecting arm It and Weight g', .whereby said raclbar is successively pushed into and out of said offset c, as set forth.

l1. The aprons S', mounted upon the rockshaft N2, whereby the iniiowing grain is received and the bundle sized, combined with an arm, T', mounted loosely upon the end of said rock-shaft, and a shouldered head, p2, rigidly mounted upon said shaft to permit a certain range of motion thereof without affecting said arm, and a rod, q2, whereby the rocking of said rock-shaft through a certain arc will cause the detente' to be tripped and the binding mechanism set in motion.

12. The vibrating arm R, rack-bar U, pinion c in mesh therewith, and shaft O, driven by said pinion, combined with the elastic compressor-iin gers a and discharger V, as set forth.

T. M. RICE. In presence of- E. H. BARNES, A. N. SUMMuRs.

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